|
Direct Democracy Ireland is a minor political party in Ireland. It has no representation at local or national level. ==Overview== Established in 2010, Direct Democracy Ireland (DDI) was officially registered as a political party in October 2012.〔 The organisation was founded by photographer Raymond Whitehead. The party describes itself as neither "left or right, but about balance", seeking to transform the political system from representative democracy to direct democracy, similar to the political model of Switzerland. The party has three principal aims: *to allow citizens to petition for a referendum on any issue through the collection of a certain number of signatures. *to allow for the recall of non-performing politicians. *to create realistic economic policies based on public debate. A number of publications and commentators have highlighted DDI's close links to the Freemen on the land movement and the right-wing conservative Christian Solidarity Party.〔 * * * * 〕 DDI leader (until 2014) Ben Gilroy denied links to the Freeman movement when questioned about them on the ''Prime Time'' current affairs show on RTÉ and by the ''Irish Times''. However, on 24 October 2013 ''Prime Time'' ran a 20-minute investigative report by Rita O'Reilly which highlighted the close links between DDI, People for Economic Justice and DebtOptions Ireland to the Freeman movement.〔 The party also has formal links to the fringe lobbying group known as the National Health Federation which opposes water fluoridation, compulsory childhood vaccines and promotes unproven cancer treatments.〔http://directdemocracyireland.ie/ National Health Federation link, bottom right corner〕 The Christian Solidarity Party also took out advertisements in support of DDI. CSP candidates also included the website of Direct Democracy Ireland on their election literature. On the abortion issue, DDI says it does not accept that the government must legislate for what it describes as "the so-called X Case". It says the solution to the abortion issue "lies in asking the people" via a referendum whether or not the government has the right to legislate for abortion. In July 2013 Gilroy and other members of the party took part in a protest at an auctioneers in Dublin in opposition to the sale of distressed property. Protesters were accused of chanting racist abuse at English staff. The auction had to be cancelled 'in the interest of public safety'.〔 * * * 〕 When questioned about the slurs, party spokesperson Des McCreesh told the ''Irish Independent'' "I never heard anything like that at all".〔 The following day Gilroy was again questioned over the alleged incident on The Michael Reade Show on LMFM. Gilroy told listeners "I never said any of that (abuse )" adding that it would be "wrong to make reference to where (person ) is from at all" and "Direct Democracy and other people did not do that". Presenter Michael Reade then played an audio clip from inside an auction in which Gilroy can be heard telling the auctioneers to "go back to England", Gilroy can then be heard saying: "I'm putting in an objection sir, with your very fine British accent, could you take it forthwith. Leave the country, you and your like that are putting the properties here up for sale." Gilroy admitted the voice in the clip was his but denied his comments amounted to racism, while his party accused radio host Michael Reade of attempting to paint Gilroy as a racist to discredit him.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://directdemocracyireland.ie/allsops-michael-reade-and-the-shameful-abuse-of-lmfm-for-political-gain/ )〕 A complaint was lodged by DDI with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland claiming that Gilroy had been "unfairly treated" and that the LMFM show "misrepresented and created the impression that Mr. Gilroy had expressed anti-English sentiments at the auction". The complaint was rejected by the Authority. In February 2014, Ben Gilroy resigned as leader of DDI for 'personal reasons', resulting in Jan Van De Ven to be elected as the new leader at the annual AGM on 1 February 2014. On 28 June 2015, at an Extraordinary General meeting of the party held in the Townhouse Court Hotel in Naas, Joe Cunningham was elected as National Chairman of Direct Democracy Ireland, and Pat Greene elected as the party leader. At the same EGM, party members voted to adopt the following mission statement: ''“We at Direct Democracy Ireland believe that Direct Democracy provisions are a living Political and Social process of Governance of a Nation belonging to and giving the Sovereign Irish People the inalienable right of unfettered Political Accountability, Transparency and Directability from their Elected Representatives / Politicians / Public Officials at Local, National and International Levels.”''〔 In October 2015, DDI joined the Right2Change movement. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Direct Democracy Ireland」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|